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Chartered Accountancy Co-op Option
Tomorrow’s public accounting firms are dependent on people who can manage themselves and their work; principled people who can apply a global business perspective, outstanding technical skills, and exceptional learning and collaborative abilities to assist in the delivery of outstanding service to clients in ever changing regulatory and operating environments. This undergraduate co-op program is uniquely designed to build a skill set to meet this demand by combining rigorous accounting and finance study with integrative cross-organizational work, professional development training and real employment experience. The School’s aim is to inspire tomorrow’s leaders in public accounting. Our hope is to introduce you to these professionals early on in their career through our co-op program.
Each year approximately 100 exceptional student candidates are admitted to this Co-op Option within the Accounting and Financial Management Program. Emphasis is placed on teaching students how to learn, adapt and apply skills in a global business context. Candidates undertake core studies in financial and management accounting, finance, math, business, communications, public speaking, law and ethics. The curriculum structure is unique in that students interested in public practice gain an early exposure to the tax and audit with a focus toward the industry, and quickly progress to more advanced accounting and finance study as they prepare to take on more responsibility as co-op employees in the field.
Junior, intermediate and senior students have what it takes to be a contributor on your team right now and a prospect for full-time hire. Students in the Chartered Accountancy Co-op Option are typically pursuing a Chartered Accountant (CA) designation and plan to complete Waterloo’s Master of Accounting Program or Diploma in Accounting Program after finishing their undergraduate studies. These students have specified their intention to work in Public Accounting environments during their co-op work-terms and have elected (or will elect) a Public Accounting academic specialization. These students are focused and driven. They are enticed to perform well on the job in order to gain accredited professional experience, earn academic credit for the co-op work and to maintain standing in our ICAO-accredited co-op program.
Recruiting students for your CA Training program can be done through the CA Recruitment Cycle, which is administered by the Co-operative Education and Career Services department. Once a student begins work at your public accounting firm he/she can be registered with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario as a CA Student.
Co-op Schedule and CostStudents in the Chartered Accountancy Co-op Option can be asked to commit to two 4-month co-op work terms (at the employer’s request and discretion) upon hire into you practice, so long as the revocable condition is disclosed in the job posting and discussed during the interview.
(Click on chart for PDF version of the schedule)
AFM Co-op EarningsEmployers determine how much to pay co-op student employees. The following pay schedule has been developed using information compiled by the Department of Cooperative Education and Career Services. It can be used as a guide to determine wage rates for your co-op employees.
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Junior Co-op Students Recruit a Junior Co-op student to work from January - April Junior students in the Chartered Accountancy Co-op Option are preparing for their first co-op work-term. These students were leading performers in secondary school and are now in their third academic term at the post-secondary level. Their university studies to date include the theory and practice of financial statement preparation and analysis, as well as auditing and taxation in a public accounting context. In addition to being introduced to microeconomic and macroeconomic theory, students have explored the functional areas of organizations and the complex international setting for business today. They have looked at calculus, descriptive statistics, probability and survey sampling through courses in mathematics and statistics and have been trained to communicate and collaborate effectively. Most students have participated in the School’s professional development conference and a number of co-op preparatory activities to gain valuable insight into the professional norms and standards of the industry. Junior students are brilliant at the basics and eager to take on work and responsibility. They can make contributions to your public accounting practice right now. Moreover, hiring a second year student is a way to develop a professional working and mentoring relationship with a student early on in his/her career. Students can work with you and your team to:
Key Core Courses to Date |
Intermediate and Senior Co-op StudentsRecruit an Intermediate Co-op Student to work from January – April AFTER FALL 2014 Intermediate and senior students in the Chartered Accountancy Co-op Option have typically declared their intent to specialize (academically) in Public Accounting. Most often, they have made a commitment to the development of the professional competencies necessary to be a Chartered Accountant. Those with CA Training co-op experience in a public accounting environment have registered as Student Members with the ICAO and gained valuable exposure to the industry and the people. Students have moved toward a very deep understanding of financial reporting, tax, audit, accounting information systems, performance measurement and control. Their business analysis and problem solving and skills, perspectives on leadership and collaboration have been honed through the study of business in a global context. Through coursework that emphasizes the connections across technical and non-technical competencies, and through the completion of one or two co-op work terms to date, these students are prepared to take on more responsibility as team contributors in your practice. While each senior/intermediate student will have undertaken several semesters of rigorous study in accounting and financial management at a top Canadian university, each has developed a unique work co-op experience profile. Some students may have had a great deal of exposure to the types of work you do and the clients you serve, and this will make them immediate performers with little or no training. Other students may require some specific training or guidance in a particular area but may bring experience to your team in other areas. The bottom line is that these students are focused and driven. They are enticed to perform well on the job in order to gain accredited professional experience, earn academic credit for the co-op work and to maintain standing in our ICAO-accredited co-op program. The key to hiring of course is fit for the work, fit for the team and fit for your short and mid-term hiring strategy. You can count on senior/intermediate co-op students to:
Key Core Courses to Date |
Graduating Co-op StudentsRecruit a Master of Accounting or Diploma student for full-time roles that begin after the student challenges the Uniform Final Exam (UFE) As part of a very flexible ongoing Graduate Recruitment Cycle, the Department of Co-operative Education and Career Services will post full-time jobs to- and facilitate the interviewing of- students in their final term of their undergraduate degree who anticipate enrolling in the Master of Accounting or Diploma Program. The Department will also post full-time jobs to- and facilitate the interviewing of- students who are in the Master of Accounting or Diploma Program. |
How to Hire a Co-op StudentThe Department of Co-operative Education and Career Services maintains the processes, procedures and facilities that accommodate co-op hiring at Waterloo. Complete details of these, including key recruitment dates for a given term, can be found here: www.cecs.uwaterloo.ca/emp_manual. For more information about hiring Waterloo students for your public accounting practice contact:
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